WGSN Announces the Global Fashion Awards Winners

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night the fashion elite gathered at New York's glamorous Waldorf Astoria for the Global Fashion Awards 2010, where the winners of the prestigious awards were announced by America's Next Top Model judge and Awards host, Nigel Barker. With the shortlist boasting respected global brands, internationally renowned retailers and exciting up-and-coming talent from around the world, the 2010 Winners List is a veritable roll-call of industry greats.

Hosted by WGSN, the world's leading style and trend forecaster, the Awards were the first of their kind to honor style and innovation in the fashion industry on a global platform.

"With an industry so diverse and exciting, it struck us that there was a real need for fashion industry peers the world over to be able to reward, recognize, and rejoice with one another," stated Susanna Kempe, CEO of WGSN.  "We are delighted now to use our authority and gravitas to unite the industry in this way, and to present an unprecedented global platform on which to celebrate the achievements of fashion's finest."

"We are all here tonight because we share a passion for fashion, breaking rules, thinking differently and always looking forward to discovering the next breakthrough talent, technology or trend," Nigel Barker stated, opening the evening. "As our world becomes more virtual by the minute it is great to see so many of you from around the world coming together to celebrate the industry, its rising stars, luminaries and leaders."

Highlights of the evening included:

• Simon Doonan, Creative Director of Barneys and acclaimed writer, kicked off the night by presenting the Global Style Icon Award to Iris Apfel.
• The Outstanding Visual Merchandising Award was presented to Lane Crawford by June Haynes, Vice President of Retail at Valentino.
• Farm was presented with the award for Outstanding Customer Experience by style connoisseur, Julie Macklowe.
• The award for Outstanding New Store was presented to Levi's Flagship Store, Regent Street by New York's own Cristina Greeven Cuomo.
• Outstanding Brand Mix was awarded to Opening Ceremony by television personality, celebrity stylist and tastemaker Robert Verdi.
• Samantha Bleasby of Pure London presented the award for Global Brand or Retailer to Harvey Nichols.
• Simon Collins, Dean of Fashion at Parsons The New School for Design, presented Acne with the award for Most Influential Design Team.  
• Laurie Pressman, Vice President of Fashion, Home and Interiors at Pantone, presented two special color awards: Best Use of Color by a Designer to Chris Benz and Best Use of Color by a Retailer to Topshop and Uniqlo.
• Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nicole Miller Bud Konheim presented the award for Most Creative Student Collection to Lilly Heine of Central Saint Martins.
• Global fashion ambassador Fern Mallis presented the award for Emerging Brand or Retailer to William Tempest.
• Teri Agins, Fashion Writer for the Wall Street Journal , presented the award for Outstanding E-tailer to ASOS
• Steve Markov, Chief Commercial Officer of WGSN presented the award for Most Innovative Digital Initiative to Wrangler (VF Europe)
• Glenn O'Brien, acclaimed author and writer of "The Style Guy," awarded Best Marketing Campaign to Diesel.
• Pat Cleveland and her daughter, Anna, jointly presented Most Sustainable Brand or Retailer to People Tree.  
• Patrick Duffy of Boutique Eat Shop (B.E.S.) gave the award for Most Influential Designer - Menswear to Thom Browne.  
• Linda Fargo, Senior Vice President, Store Presentation and  Women's Fashion Director at Bergdorf Goodman presented and accepted the Most Influential Designer - Womenswear Award on behalf  Alber Elbaz.
• Fashion journalist, stylist, and television personality, Louise Roe presented Most Influential Designer – Footwear and Accessories to Nicholas Kirkwood.  
• Simon Doonan returned to close the evening by introducing very special honoree Harold Tillman who was recognized for his Outstanding Contribution to Fashion.

Founding Global Fashion Awards sponsors include Pantone, Solomon Page Group, GfK, La Estampa, Gerber Technology, Boutique Eat Shop, World Retail Congress and Drapers.

Each winner received a Waterford Crystal trophy designed by fashion icon John Rocha.  

For more information on the Global Fashion Awards please visit http://www.globalfashionawards.com.

About WGSN

WGSN is the global authority on style and design. The company identifies and analyzes current and future style trends and provides its customers with state-of-the-art online tools that that can be used to create commercially successful products and services. WGSN defines and shapes wining style and design for over 36,000 customers globally. WGSN customers include many of the world's leading apparel, style, design and retail companies including Levi Strauss & Co., Adidas, Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, Benetton Group, and Marks and Spencers, among others. WGSN is headquartered in London and has offices all over the world, including Milan, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Tokyo. For more information, visit http://www.wgsn.com. Follow WGSN on Twitter: @wgsn.

SOURCE WGSN